N
NamyLab

Chicago

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Wild Onion Place"

Adopted from a toponym, it references an Indigenous term transmitted through French and later American usage.

Themes:placenameregionaluncommonmodern

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection CuratorCreative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Chicago

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#6505Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Chicago did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Chicago Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Chicago.

11 ideas
Chiie
Nickname
Chic
Nickname
chic
Nickname
chiy
Nickname
cago
Nickname
agoy
Nickname
icay
Nickname
chie
Nickname
cho
Nickname
ch
Nickname
cie
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Chicago mean?
Chicago means "Wild Onion Place". Adopted from a toponym, it references an Indigenous term transmitted through French and later American usage.
What is the origin of Chicago?
Chicago is of Algonquian origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Chicago?
According to the latest SSA data, Chicago is currently ranked #6505 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Chicago a boy name?
Chicago is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Chicago?
Popular nicknames for Chicago include Chiie, Chic, chic, chiy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Chicago?
There are many names similar to Chicago in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginAlgonquian, French, American English
Syllables3
Length7 letters
US Rank#6505
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withC

Explore More Boy Names Like Chicago

Chicago has Algonquian roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Algonquian baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Chicago appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and French Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Chicago pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Chicago beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.